By Zephyria 
The next day, when Cecile opened his eyes, he experienced hell in a way he never had before.
A terrible hangover had come upon him.
It felt as if someone was striking his head with an axe, and his stomach churned as if he were seasick. Even lying still, he felt nauseous, as if something was seriously wrong.
“Ugh… Leo. Please save me.”
He could barely pull the blanket and only let out faint groans, but somehow, his loyal attendant knew and opened the door.
“Yes, yes, coming! Oh my, the smell of alcohol.”
Leo opened the window wide to let in a cool breeze and approached the head of the bed, stacking several soft cushions.
Then, he quickly lifted the nearly lifeless Cecile and made him lean comfortably against the pillow mound he had created.
Next, he wiped Cecile’s face clean with a cold, wet cloth soaked in lemon water.
By the time the greasy face, which hadn’t been washed the night before, began to regain its original cleanliness, Leo set the towel down and presented him with honey tea. As he gently stirred the tea with a silver spoon, the honey that had settled at the bottom began to dissolve.
In Leo’s actions, which seemed to fulfill Cecile’s every desire, he caught a glimpse of a halo. At that moment, Leo was nothing short of a god.
“First, drink this all up.”
Cecile gulped down the honey tea.
His throat was so dry that it felt like it was cracking like a drought-stricken land. He emptied the teacup in one go, and as he gagged again, Leo clicked his tongue in disapproval.
“…How did I get back yesterday? Did you take care of me?”
“Pardon? You don’t remember?”
“Not at all.”
His last memory was of conversing with Tristan.
It seemed he had fallen asleep in the middle of a long-overdue binge. It was a relief to have returned safely to the palace, but… he still felt uneasy.
“His Highness the Crown Prince brought you back.”
“What?”
Cecile gasped and gagged again.
At this rate, he might throw up the honey tea he had just drunk, and Leo pushed him back onto the cushions. Although Cecile lay back obediently, his face still showed disbelief.
“The Crown Prince? Why? How?”
“I don’t know the details. Didn’t you tell me not to follow you? I heard you visited Count Alfonso’s social club with Sir Vandell yesterday. Everyone in that mansion was shocked and in chaos. You happened to be completely drunk and out of it… His Highness carried you back on his shoulders, and it was quite embarrassing.”
Leo shook his head, recalling the moment he had witnessed yesterday.
Cecile, pale and shocked, could only move his lips. The terrible words were hard to believe.
“Did I… do something? I wasn’t causing a scene, was I? Please tell me I wasn’t.”
“I don’t know. Only the two of you were in the carriage. His Highness Alexis didn’t give any particular hints either.”
Even after hearing Leo’s words, Cecile couldn’t feel at ease. He couldn’t help but resent his broken memories.
“Ha, damn it.”
Cecile rubbed his swollen face. The feeling was so unpleasant that it seemed he must have caused some trouble.
* * *
Today, breakfast was scheduled. It was a meal with the Emperor, and it was a gathering that one could not miss unless there was a significant reason.
Cecile also attended, having thoroughly erased the traces of his hangover from the previous day.
He looked presentable on the outside, but his waxy, pale complexion revealed that he was not in a normal state.
The dining table was adorned with a burgundy tablecloth, silver cutlery, crystal glasses, and elegant candlesticks, adding to the splendor. The food prepared to suit individual tastes looked incredibly appetizing.
Cecile diligently moved his fork and knife.
The perfectly roasted chicken crackled as he cut into it, and rich juices flowed out.
It was a dish that would whet anyone’s appetite, but Cecile could only chop the chicken into small pieces with vacant eyes. It was not a dish that would help with a hangover at all.
Still, since he was in front of the Emperor, he had to pretend to eat. As he forced the food into his mouth and swallowed it down, lively conversations flowed around the table.
“Alexis looks quite tired today. I’ve heard you’ve been taking on a lot of work lately, and that you’re lacking sleep… I’m seriously worried that it might affect your health. If it’s too much, please feel free to say so.”
“Your Majesty’s concern makes me want to work even harder to repay your kindness. Fortunately, I’m fine. Compared to when I was in the Black Forest, I’m much more at ease now.”
Elizabeth and Alexis conversed as always, hiding their true feelings. Amidst the conversation filled with kindness and etiquette, sharp claws glimmered.
Cecile focused silently on his own plate. He was on the verge of losing his mind, especially with Alexis sitting next to him. He couldn’t help but steal glances sideways.
Despite being the one who took care of him when he was drunk last night, Alexis wore the same indifferent expression as usual. He looked as if nothing had happened at all.
“Have you and Cecile become a bit closer?”
The Emperor asked as they continued their meal. At the sound of his deep voice, both Alexis and Cecile set down their cutlery.
Alexis’s cold gaze shifted sideways. He briefly glanced at Cecile’s stiff profile before turning his head back.
“We’re getting closer.”
“Good to see. It’s quite heartwarming to see you two grown-ups together.”
The Emperor lightly sipped his wine. His gaze toward his grown sons was always warm.
“Soon, you two will have to lead the Empire, and the deeper your brotherly bond, the greater the benefit to the Empire, wouldn’t you agree, Empress?”
“…Yes, of course. Your Majesty is right.”
The Empress replied, pretending to yield. A gentle smile graced her lips, but her eyes were sharp. The glint of a sharpened blade was fixed on her pale son.
After breakfast, Cecile was immediately taken to the chapel. The priests who were supposed to guard the place were nowhere to be seen, and only the Empress and her attendants remained. From the way they locked the windows tightly, it seemed they were about to deliver a sermon.
“You still haven’t come to your senses! What on earth is the problem!”
As expected, the piercing scolding rang out.
“Running around learning swordsmanship that doesn’t suit you, barely paying attention in class. Ha, I hear you’ve even been poking around social clubs lately? You’re the only one making a fool of the royal family!”
“Yes.”
“Don’t answer me!”
The Empress shouted angrily. Cecile sighed and kept his mouth shut. It was easier for him not to respond.
Naturally, he crossed his arms behind his back. As he lowered his gaze to the floor, the Empress’s sharp reprimands began to pour out.
“His Majesty even gave you a chance to step forward, and you foolishly let it slip away? What were you doing in Alexis’s office! Did you think His Majesty sent you there just to waste time? You useless thing!”
“…….”
“Even the food that goes into your mouth is a waste! I can’t stand the sight of you!”
Cecile rubbed his forehead in distress. It wasn’t just the Empress’s harsh words; it was the unbearable hangover that was getting to him. He wished she would just hit him and let him go like last time.
But the Empress’s anger did not easily subside.
With this level of anger, he should be kneeling and begging, or at least showing some sign of fear, but it was clear that Cecile was ignoring her words.
How had her son, who used to be so obedient, turned into this?
As the Empress struggled to suppress her boiling anger, she suddenly turned her head sharply.
“Attendant!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Lock Cecile in the confessional. Make sure he doesn’t step out of there, and don’t give him a drop of water until I give further orders!”
The confessional was a space barely big enough for one person to sit. There was no way to lie down comfortably, no sunlight, just an uncomfortable wooden chair. It was a place as stifling as a coffin, with walls closing in on all sides.
The attendant quickly obeyed the Empress’s command. At his gesture, several large attendants grabbed Cecile’s arms and led him deep into the chapel.
The escort was surprisingly polite. Cecile, too, seemed resigned and did not cause a fuss.
As the busy movements continued, the Empress quickly walked, holding onto the hem of her dress. It was then that the remaining attendants hurriedly followed her.
When the heavy door, which had been tightly shut, opened, the figure of the Crown Prince standing guard was revealed.
Startled by the unexpected encounter, the Empress flinched, and the attendants stepped back in shock.
Unlike the startled people, Alexis maintained his indifferent expression. He crossed his arms and surveyed the chapel, which had just been in chaos. He could see Cecile being dragged away weakly. How surprised must he have been that his knees buckled, and the attendants had to support him.
Alexis scrutinized Cecile before turning his gaze toward the Empress. His voice came out sharp, as if questioning.
“What’s going on?”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s a matter between Cecile and me.”
“What family matter is there that’s just between you two?”
It sounded like a mutter, but it was clearly directed at the Empress. Alexis tilted his head slightly as he spoke.
“Cecile is now an adult. Isn’t he past the age for discipline?”
“It’s not discipline; it’s just a matter of prayer. Cecile needs to apologize to God. Lately, his behavior has not been proper.”
“Since when did locking someone in the confessional become prayer? It seems a new rule has emerged in my absence.”